Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) will celebrate “1890 Day” Thursday, April 23, on the Institute campus. The event is part of a national celebration honoring the 125th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act, which established the nation’s network of 1890 Land-Grant Universities including WVSU.
“This day of celebration is especially important to the State family as our University was the second 1890 land-grant school to be accredited and, to this very day, we continue to carry out our founders’ charge of educating citizens with the utmost dedication to student success and excellence,” said WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill. “I encourage all members of the State family to participate in the celebration as a tribute to the many who came before us and to the Yellow Jackets yet to come.”
The celebration will begin with a ceremonial pecan tree planting at 10 a.m. Pecan groves were part of State’s landscape in its early days, and WVSU Extension Service is reintroducing the species to campus as part of a new research initiative.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., staff members with WVSU Extension Service and the Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, as well as partnering agencies, will host a “Share Fair” with activities and exhibits honoring State’s land-grant mission of research, teaching and service.
Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to participate in an 1890 Day Wellness Walk beginning at the campus’ Clock Tower at 12:30 p.m. Extension Agent Derrien Williams will lead participants along a 1.890-mile path around campus.
“We’re excited to take part in this national initiative,” said Williams, noting that each of the nation’s 1890 Land-Grant Universities is hosting a similar event the same day. “It’s a fun way to encourage our students, faculty, staff and the entire State family to kick start their spring fitness routine.”
Wellness Walk participants are asked to donate a minimum of $18.90 to one of State’s four academic colleges. At the end of the day, the college with the most money raised will receive the entire amount of funds to support students in the department.
The 1890 Land-Grant Universities are a network of historically black colleges and universities dedicated to providing educational opportunity for all through innovative scientific research and community-minded extension programs. Founded in 1891, WVSU is the only 1890 Land-Grant University in the state of West Virginia. Learn more at .
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